What's a stoma and how's it made?﻿﻿

Many of you were pretty sick before ostomy surgery. Researching what a stoma is, how it's made and what it's made of may have been the least of your concerns. Interestingly, the word stoma comes from the Greek meaning a mouth or opening. You, the patient, provided the material - aren't you glad you were able to help?

Diagram courtesy of
ConvaTec Canada

Both the words "stoma" and "ostomy" mean the same thing. An opening in made in your belly wall and a portion of your large bowel or a portion of your small intestine is brought through the opening. After the stoma is bought through it is folded back and it is then sutured to the skin. Depending of the type of ostomy surgery, the stoma is attached to the left or right side of your stomach. Stool or urine can ﻿now leave﻿ the body after it became difficult or impossible to do so in the normal way.

The Digestive TrackSometime, before or after your surgery, you may start to be curious about exactly what happens to your food after it passes your lips. The second link below is worth a visit